Media lawyers argued the September sealing order violated the state and federal constitutions and court rules because there was no public notification or opportunity for a hearing. The state argued the law exempts records sealed by court order.

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said in a statement he believes the records should remain sealed but that he will follow the instructions of the court.

The 22-year-old daughter of singer Whitney Houston was found face-down and unresponsive in a bathtub in her suburban Atlanta townhome Jan. 31, 2015, and died in hospice care July 26.